MUSIC

Ole Ernest Lee likes music. I like to listen to most kinds- country, classic rock, pop, and Christian. Don’t care for rap or hip hop, but each to his own. Worship music is something different than secular music- or should be. Today, it’s hard to tell the secular from the sacred. Praise and worship teams perform a concert with worshippers expected to sing along. Most in the congregation don’t join in. Choirs are non-existent. Church music ain’t what it used to be. The new fangled stuff is repetitive, shallow and profane Ernest Lee’s morning coffee crew says every week. Is that true? Is the new style of music not as good as it was in the ole days? Let’s try to be objective- here’s Ernest Lee’s take on church music- ole and new:

Music is a significant part of the Bible. Singing is mentioned over 400 times and there are more than 50 direct commands for believers to sing.  The Bible says God created music to bring glory to Himself. The New Testament lists three types of music that are acceptable for worship: (1) Psalms, (2) Hymns, and (3) Spiritual songs. ~Ephesians 5:19

Did the ole traditional style of music satisfy the three scriptural requirements? If we are honest, it had its flaws. Like today, most in the congregation didn’t sing out. Many of those singing ‘specials’ were self-promoters, seeking recognition. They were performing, much like today. Some of the old hymns we love had unscriptural messages that were overlooked/excused because we loved the melody. Musicians were cultivated/plucked from the congregation for the choir, so most of the singing was done from the platform- much like today. The worshippers in the congregation, like today, hummed along or listened as the choir and selected musicians performed.

Does the contemporary style of worship music satisfy the three scriptural requirements? If the young whippersnappers who love it are honest, it has its flaws. Most in the congregation don’t sing- they listen. No music is provided to the congregation- just words/lyrics flashed on a screen, so new songs are hard to learn without notes. Many of the P&W band members are self-promoters, seeking recognition. Some of the new stuff has excellent words-others not so much. Often lyrics are repeated again and again and again, like a Gregorian chant.

Ernest Lee’s late friend R.C. Sproul called the contemporary worship music’s repeated incantations 7-11 music- the same 7 words/11 times. R.C. has a really good sermon about Acceptable Worship. You can listen to it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cx5pMpfgwVA

Those new songs recapitulations reminds Ernest Lee of his old 45 RPM record of Merle Haggard’s Mama Tried that always got struck on the Mama Tried line. Both style of worship music aren’t perfect.

Music is to be a part of our worship, but true biblical worship must be reverent (Hebrews 12:28). Believers must understand God is holy, just, perfect, powerful, loving, etc. We are sinners saved by grace coming before a holy God on the basis of our Redeemer. There is no room for pride in adoration (Luke 18:9–14). Jesus said worship was to be “in spirit” and “in truth.” From where ole Ernest Lee sits, the TRUTH part is missing in most worship today. Many churches are looking for relevance and have sacrificed reverence. Worship is not about good worship music or talented musicians- traditional or contemporary. Worship is not about expressing ourselves, (shouting, dancing, raising hands). True worship is about God. We reverence and honor and adore Him, not simply because of what He does for us but for who He is.

If the music in your church isn’t edifying (providing moral or intellectual instruction), then it is probably unscriptural. If it isn’t music that (1) proclaims the truth of God, and (2) is intended to lead people to worship God rather than themselves., it’s probably unbiblical. True worship music should cause a believer to think about God instead of themselves.

Martin Luther said: Beautiful music is the art of the prophets that can calm the agitations of the soul; it is one of the most magnificent and delightful presents God has given us.

Ernest Lee says, The wrong worship music can stir up our emotions, but without truth. It can excite us, but without accuracy. It can turn us from self examination to self righteousness. The right worship music isn’t about style- it’s about substance.